1,500,000 population within range of many NBA teams...

[rjp2008]

I noticed how cities that are just near Jacksonville in MSA population are the smallest cities that have NBA franchises.

Salt Lake City at 1 mil with Jazz. (no NFL)
New Orleans at 1 mil with Hornets. (NFL team also)
Ocklawaha City (heh heh) at 1,190,000 with the formerly known as Sonics. (no NFL)
Memphis at 1,200,000 with the Griz (NFL in state)
Milwaukee at 1,544,000 with the Bucks (NFL in state)
Charlotte at 1,600,000 with the Bobcats (NFL team also)

Many cities closer to 2 mil do not have NBA teams: Columbus, Indy, Norfolk, etc.

In 5-7 years, Jax population will could easily hit the 1,500/1,700,000 range. At that time, perhaps someone would be willing to foot the bill for a new franchise or entice another to come here like the...Jacksonville Jazz? Jacksonville Hornets? That'd be pretty cool. Let's take the Hornets, they're already a winning team.

Pretty much fantasy with Orlando so close and not planning on moving anywhere.

[ProjectMaximus]

Pretty much fantasy with Orlando so close and not planning on moving anywhere.

Yes, pretty much fantasy...although I don't know that it's got so much to do with the proximity to the Magic as much as the fact that Jacksonville can hardly handle it's one top pro sports team at the moment. If we secure the future of the Jags in Jax sometime in the next decade, which I truly believe we will do, then maybe in 15 years or so we could make a push for the NBA, NHL, MLB, or MLS.

But I think the NBA is pretty much at its full potential growth right now, as is the MLB. The NHL should in fact probably contract, and may need to some time down the road. So, believe it or not, MLS may be the most likely candidate in a decade or so. Of course, this analysis has everything to do with the state of the leagues, and nothing to do with our city itself. I hardly have any confidence that an MLS team could survive here even in ideal economic conditions...how long did the Cyclones last? 2 years? I don't even remember.

Anyway, Jacksonville Jazz...haha, I like it.

[blizz01]

Seems like baseball and hockey would be the next thing - at the very least we should move up a tier from AA - seems like most of the cities would be comparable.  Also, I believe that the Lizard Kings drew well in their prime.  Maybe Rugby will take off & Jax can be the launchpad (the Axemen draw "ok" @ UNF) - when Russell Crowe brought his team here earlier this year it was eye opening.

[ac]

Let's work on trying to keep the Jaguars from skipping town before trying to snag another pro franchise.

[apvbguy]

I noticed how cities that are just near Jacksonville in MSA population are the smallest cities that have NBA franchises.

Salt Lake City at 1 mil with Jazz. (no NFL)
New Orleans at 1 mil with Hornets. (NFL team also)
Ocklawaha City (heh heh) at 1,190,000 with the formerly known as Sonics. (no NFL)
Memphis at 1,200,000 with the Griz (NFL in state)
Milwaukee at 1,544,000 with the Bucks (NFL in state)
Charlotte at 1,600,000 with the Bobcats (NFL team also)

Many cities closer to 2 mil do not have NBA teams: Columbus, Indy, Norfolk, etc.

In 5-7 years, Jax population will could easily hit the 1,500/1,700,000 range. At that time, perhaps someone would be willing to foot the bill for a new franchise or entice another to come here like the...Jacksonville Jazz? Jacksonville Hornets? That'd be pretty cool. Let's take the Hornets, they're already a winning team.

Pretty much fantasy with Orlando so close and not planning on moving anywhere.

it's a nice dream but in a football crazed area they can't even sell out Jags games,
an NBA franchise would never stand a chance here.

[David]

no no let's get more sporting opions in! that way if one pro team leaves, it won't hurt as much.

Look at Seattle! I don't think anyone even noticed the supersonics left, but they're still crazy about football & baseball.

[JeffreyS]

I am not a hokey fan but that is our best shot.  MLB we could steal the Rays who aren't being supported even during the dream year.  I know you need a big corporate presence to support baseball though.  I would love the NBA the most but Orlando is just too close.

[Ocklawaha]

Mierda de Toro! *Use your Spanish translator at your own risk here.

In 5-7 years, Jax population will could easily hit the 1,500/1,700,000 range. At that time, perhaps someone would be willing to foot the bill for a new franchise or entice another to come here like the...Jacksonville Jazz? Jacksonville Hornets? That'd be pretty cool. Let's take the Hornets, they're already a winning team.

Pretty much fantasy with Orlando so close and not planning on moving anywhere.

The self defiling manners of the citizens of Florida's greatest city makes me want to puke. Sorry boys but someone tell me how far it is between the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where the Lakers play, and the Staples Center in Los Angeles where the Clippers play? Want to play the "Mickey Mouse town is too close card?" Fine, Oakland (Golden State) plays Sacramento (Kings) at 89 MILES!

The old tired Jaguar argument doesn't fly either, we have a stadium --- HELLO --- that was built for 1 or 2 college bowl games a year. College, as in 100,000 screaming 20 year old's in downtown. If it was built for the Jags, such as the new field in Miami, we too would only seat 50,000 or so... oops, my bad, then we'd be the only team in the league with a waiting list for ANY TICKETS! ANY SEASON!

Not bad if you ask me for a poor, southern, backwater, redneck, paper mill town - TURN WORLD PORT, FINANCE and COMMERCE CENTER! We'd pack the house, BANK ON IT NBA!

VIVA JACKSONVILLE!

"Hornets Really?" guess it's better then "Joint Strike Fighters...." wonder if "Blue Angels" could be used?

OCKLAWAHA
Ocklawaha City? Ugg, Urk, Gag, Choke, Cough... "LOVE IT"

[ProjectMaximus]

Mierda de Toro! *Use your Spanish translator at your own risk here.

In 5-7 years, Jax population will could easily hit the 1,500/1,700,000 range. At that time, perhaps someone would be willing to foot the bill for a new franchise or entice another to come here like the...Jacksonville Jazz? Jacksonville Hornets? That'd be pretty cool. Let's take the Hornets, they're already a winning team.

Pretty much fantasy with Orlando so close and not planning on moving anywhere.

The self defiling manners of the citizens of Florida's greatest city makes me want to puke. Sorry boys but someone tell me how far it is between the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where the Lakers play, and the Staples Center in Los Angeles where the Clippers play? Want to play the "Mickey Mouse town is too close card?" Fine, Oakland (Golden State) plays Sacramento (Kings) at 89 MILES!

The old tired Jaguar argument doesn't fly either, we have a stadium --- HELLO --- that was built for 1 or 2 college bowl games a year. College, as in 100,000 screaming 20 year old's in downtown. If it was built for the Jags, such as the new field in Miami, we too would only seat 50,000 or so... oops, my bad, then we'd be the only team in the league with a waiting list for ANY TICKETS! ANY SEASON!

Not bad if you ask me for a poor, southern, backwater, redneck, paper mill town - TURN WORLD PORT, FINANCE and COMMERCE CENTER! We'd pack the house, BANK ON IT NBA!

VIVA JACKSONVILLE!

"Hornets Really?" guess it's better then "Joint Strike Fighters...." wonder if "Blue Angels" could be used?

OCKLAWAHA
Ocklawaha City? Ugg, Urk, Gag, Choke, Cough... "LOVE IT"

1) As I said before, I think the Orlando argument is bunk.

2) Not sure I understand what tired Jaguar argument you're referring too, Ock. Everything you said about stadium capacity is true, but what does that have to do with the question at hand? The truth is that the city is struggling to secure the long-term future of the Jacksonville Jaguars and that is a reason why we wouldn't be able to snag another major league team any time before that is done.

3) Blue Angels. That is a sweet name for a franchise, no matter the sport. Blue Angels in 2020. Put me down for the movement.

[civil42806]

There is no demand for either a NBA or yet another overextended NHL franchise.  Anyone that has lived in this town and watched the history of either the minor league basketball or hockey franchises would have to be high to propose a major league franchise here.  I agree lets concentrate on selling out the NFL before getting something else.

[Keith-N-Jax]

I agree, can barely get people to the Jaguar games,,and the Suns games look like there pretty empty as well. Jax has a long way to go.

[copperfiend]

I agree, can barely get people to the Jaguar games,,and the Suns games look like there pretty empty as well. Jax has a long way to go.

The Suns draw very well for a AA team. They outdraw most AAA teams.

[adamh0903]

I agree, can barely get people to the Jaguar games,,and the Suns games look like there pretty empty as well. Jax has a long way to go.

This is a HUGE misconception...The Jaguars a only a few thousand from completely selling out the stadium...Even on games that it doesn't sell out, its full come 1 o'clock on Sundays. Its not like the jags are 10-15k short of selling out every game.

[civil42806]

A few thousand is all it takes unfortunately.  I'm a season ticket holder and love the games.  Bu the fact is we still struggle to sell out the stadium, even with the covered seats.   And yes I know that the covered seats brought the stadium down to normal NFL size.  Suns draw extremely well for a AA franchise, but has a very family friendly ownership, Bragans are one of the best things to happen to the sports scene in jax.  Does anyone else remember the previous owner, guy couldn't have cared less about the franchise.

[Jason]

Every Jags game I've been too has been sold out, 4 last season.  Civil, as a season ticket hold you should easily notice that come Sunday the stands are full, blackout or not.  The problem is selling the tickets ahead of time before the deadline.  Not sure why people are so complacent about getting tickets.  Maybe its just easier to get them at the gate?

Based on the schedule this season and the true chance for another deep playoff run and potential division title, there should be no problem selling out the stadium.